Former Goa CM protests against Goa government decision to pass the budget in a one-day session

Panjim: Former Chief Minister of Goa and Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat on Wednesday registered dissent in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) against the government decision to pass the budget session during the one day session of the assembly.

In a statement, he said it was very important that the one day session must give utmost priority to the issues like Covid Pandemic, financial condition of the state, revival of economy, environmental issues like proposed projects causing damaged to Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Double tracking of Railway line passing through Villages in Coastal areas etc.

He said it was unfortunate that the government was trying to bulldoze the democratic right of the elected representatives of the people to voice issues concerning the common man and wants to pass the Budget without proper discussion on the same. 

The government was not ready to discuss and listen to the views of the opposition on handling Covid pandemic, Economic Revival of the State and Environmental issues which would cause destruction to flora and fauna, he said.

Kamat, in a letter submitted to the Speaker, said the other issues and business such as passing of bills etc must be undertaken in the next session with a longer duration to enable all the members to discuss and give their views on such bills in the interest of the state.

Leader of Opposition said he had categorically stated during the informal meeting convened on July 3, 2020, by the Speaker that a full-fledged Assembly Session of 3 to 4 weeks should convened in the month of November – December 2020, in case the Government decides to have a One day Session in the month of July – August 2020 to fulfil the Constitutional requirement in view of the Covid pandemic. 

He said he had also placed before the Speaker his recommendation that further extension of four months may be given to the Vote on Account during the One day Session and the Budget should be passed during the full-fledged session after discussion in the Month of November – December 2020.